Park City - Pitstops for Kids

Grown-Up Getaway: Sundance Resort Utah

November 7, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

You probably don’t need an excuse to plan a luxurious grown-up getaway this fall or winter, but just in case, I’ve got the ultimate: a stay at Sundance Resort. An easy commute from Salt Lake City, Sundance is located in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains directly under the shadow of dramatic Mt. Timpanogos. It’s affectionately known as ‘Bob’s place’, for founder and owner Robert Redford. And yes, he still spends ample time here.

In summer and fall, Sundance is a prime location for hiking, biking, and generally communing with nature, and in winter, its ski resort offers 450 acres of terrain. All year round, guests can enjoy Sundance’s stellar spa, art studio (with classes), yoga, meditation, and fine dining.

Why I recommend Sundance for the grown ups:

Don’t get me wrong: Sundance Resort is equipped to accommodate kids. It has refreshingly low lift ticket rates, which appeal to families, and the woodsy setting will certainly make kids feel at home. The thing is, you may not want them there. Sundance’s vibe is decidedly serene, with an emphasis on self-reflection, revitalization, and pampering. Imagine yourself sliding into your private jacuzzi tub or chilling on your deck in an adirondack chair, cocktail in hand…without kids to supervise.

The feeling of relaxation starts before you arrive. The drive from Salt Lake City (I came from the airport) takes about 45 minutes, the last few winding through a slotted canyon as you climb into the mountains. Immediately, you feel isolated from the bustle of the valley, a feeling that’s reinforced when you visit the reception center then wind uphill to find your accommodation tucked into the trees. The entire resort feels very intimate and manageable: you won’t see big parking lots or lodge buildings.

Lodging at Sundance:

I stayed in a studio suite about a 10 minute walk from the reception area. Lodging ranges from rooms and condos (of which there are 100) to a smaller selection of mountain homes. Condos range from studios to three-to-four bedrooms. My studio included a kitchenette (microwave, sink, coffee maker, and mini-fridge with counter space), a wood-burning fireplace, sitting area, large bathroom with jacuzzi tub, bedroom area with one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in, and a porch with chairs overlooking a creek and woods. The entire space was decorated with purpose: it was artsy, warm, and inviting.

Dining and shopping:

Sundance is known for boutique shopping, high dining, and outdoors-pursuits. In the central area at the base of the hill (by the reception area) is Sundance’s main shop, with everything you’d find in the Sundance catalogue, from jewelry to boutique clothing to logo items. Across the street, the small art studio offers classes as well as fine art. In fact, Sundance hires two glassblowers to be on staff seasonally, who make all of the resort’s glassware.

Sundance has a marketplace with items like sandwiches, smoothies, and pastries, plus candy and snacks to buy a la carte. The Foundry is what Sundance calls its ‘casual’ dining restaurant, but I might beg to differ (in a good way). The log cabin feel of the room is both warm and elegant; don’t miss the wall-to-wall mural at the back. You can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner here; we ate a wonderful breakfast before skiing.

Sundance’s signature restaurant is the Tree Room, where I dined surrounded by the private art and native artifact collections of Robert Redford himself. The dining experience here is exquisite, with impeccable service and a deep wine list. Expect to pay at least $30-40 per entree, but also prepare to be very satisfied with the experience. The atmosphere in the Tree Room is certainly refined, but not in a stuffy way. We had a lively group who loved socializing, and we felt right at home.

Also not to be missed: The Owl Bar, located adjacent to the Foundry. This rustic (yet again, somehow elegant) bar is the ideal apres ski spot, with craft cocktails served over the bar that once stood in Thermopiles, Wyoming during the late 1890s. Its most famous guests back in the day: Butch Cassidy and his gang. You can get appetizers and small plates in the Owl Bar, as well as beer on tap.

The Spa at Sundance:

My massage therapist at Sundance told me that she has clients who fly into Sundance and book a stay solely for the spa. After the most in-depth facial I’ve ever had, I can see why. The spa is located amid the lodging rooms at Sundance, and like the rest of the resort, it’s small and intimate. When I arrived, I was shown a place to change and given a Sundance tote bag to store my belongings (no locker rooms here). I was next directed to a chair by the fireplace, where I enjoyed a hot stone foot soak pre-treatment. The spa has a full line of services.

Outdoor recreation at Sundance:

Every day during our stay, complimentary yoga and meditation classes were offered at the yoga yurt at Sundance. There are also numerous walking and jogging trails. In summer, you’ll find horseback riding, mountain biking, and golf. In winter, there’s both a downhill skiing resort and nordic center for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The downhill resort has just one base area (right by the shop and Foundry), with its own rental center, small pro shop, and lift. Three additional lifts connect the first to a total of 45 runs.

Would I come for the skiing? Maybe not…after all, Sundance has some stiff competition in that department in the region. However, at Sundance, it’s about the overall experience: no lift lines, great service, wonderful food, a relaxed atmosphere. I’d be hard pressed to name a more beautiful ski area, as you ski directly below stunning Mt. Timpanogos. If you go, absolutely take a ski break at the top for some nachos at Bearclaw Cabin; you’ll feel as though you’re at the top of the world.

Rates:

Rates begin at about $395 per night, and go upward from there. However, rates vary widely by season and room type, and come with major perks: rooms come with two complimentary lift tickets, as well as first tracks privileges. You also get free yoga and other wellness classes. Some rooms do include full kitchens and lofts for kids; if you do bring the family, you’ll want this amenity because eating every meal out would get very expensive. Without the kids, I’d splurge on the wonderful dining opportunities.

Directions:

Sundance is located at 8841 N. Alpine Loop Road . From Salt Lake City, get onto I-80 east. Then turn right onto I-215 heading south. Next take I–15 South towards Provo. Continue on I-15 to exit #272 (which is 800 North in Orem) turn left heading east. Stay on 800 North through Orem to the mouth of the canyon. Stay in left hand lane, which will drop onto Hwy 189. Continue up the canyon approximately 7 miles to Scenic Route #92 which is the first left after the tunnel. Sundance is 2 miles up the canyon on the left.

Disclosure: I was a guest of Sundance Resort for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

Winter at the Utah Olympic Park with kids

December 4, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

While exploring Park City Utah with kids, families will want to reserve time to visit the Utah Olympic Park. This half-day excursion is only minutes from Park City Utah, and 25 miles from Salt Lake City.

The Utah Olympic Park is the site of several winter sports in the 2002 Winter Games, and is still home to several Olympic teams and hopefuls. Most days, visitors can see training in process on the high jump or luge, bobsled, or skeleton events.

What to do at Utah Olympic Park:

Start at the Olympic museum, where you’ll learn about general winter sport Olympic history as well as the details behind the Salt Lake City games. The museum is free for all, making it a great introduction to the park. If you have very young kids, you may want to simply walk around outside the museum area to watch skiers on the jumps and practicing their flips and spins.

If you have older kids or teens, it’s worth paying for the guided tour, which takes you in a van up to the top of the high jump slopes and to view the luge and bobsled track. Both are very impressive facilities…and looking down the ski jump course is enough to give you deep respect for the athletes who brave it! The tour can include to ride on the ski lift chair up and down from some sites.

For those extremely daring (and 16 or older), a ride down the bobsled course behind a professional driver is a major thrill. I’d consider it a once-in-a-lifetime activity: while I enjoyed the experience, I don’t need to do it again! The bobsled team will warn all visitors that this activity is extremely physical: if you have any healthy issues, it’s not for you. Unlike many ‘extreme’ activities that are pretty tame, the bobsled trip is the real deal: expect a bumpy, intense, and possibly unsettling ride! I recommend it wholeheartedly for those up for the challenge. Family members who wish to watch can do so along several points of the track. This activity is costly, but worth budgeting for on special occasions.

In summer months, families can also try the zip line, adventure course, and exhibition shows every weekend. We love the deal on the zip lines and high ropes courses: there are numerous lines and courses, all for one price of $40 for kids. Go all day! Read our summer review.

Date last visited:

March 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Minutes from I-80.

Admission:

Free

Hours of operation:

10 am to 6 pm daily

Directions:

The Utah Olympic Park is located at 3419 Olympic Pkwy. From Park City or The Canyons Resort, easily follow well-marked signage.

Canyons Resort Park City with kids

October 18, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

We love Park City Utah skiing with kids! And we know there are several resorts and lodging options in Park City, but when we go, we always ski at Canyons Resort Park City. It’s kind of like ordering the same thing off a great menu every time…when you know you love something, why take a chance on something else?

What’s to love at The Canyons Resort Park City with kids:

The amazing terrain! Yes, Canyons offers a great ski and board school, and The Grand Summit Hotel offers child care, but for us, Canyons is best for older kids who ski or board at the intermediate to advanced level. Why? This resort is chock full of steeps, glades, gated runs, and off-piste fun. In fact, there’s an entire lift, the Ninety-Nine-90, devoted to black diamond runs. Does this mean there’s little for beginners? Not at all…but your advanced skiing kids and teens will be in heaven, as will you!

Second to the great terrain at Canyons is the convenience and comfort of this resort. The new Orange Bubble Chair is both heated and covered, for heaven’s sake! And the food options on the mountain are fantastic. Canyons does one of the best jobs we’ve seen in crowd management. We’ve never skied this mountain and found lengthly lift lines or food service lines. The food options at the Red Pine mid-mountain lodge are varied and healthy, and if you’d like to skip the plastic trays and chaos of a cafeteria-style lunch, families can make a reservation at Lookout Cabin, located at the Orange Bubble mid-mountain drop-off. You’ll get a great-yet-quick full service meal, and get to warm up by the fireside to boot.

On-mountain thrills:

We love that a ski day at The Canyons can also include the Canyons Zip Line Tour or Snowshoeing experience. Yes, families can check in for either activity mid-day, right on the slopes! In fact, I zip-lined over the trees in my ski boots! For families experiencing either of these activities on a non-ski day, access is granted via the Red Pine Gondola. The Zip Line Tour takes approximately 1.5 hours, and takes families on three lines: a warm-up, a mid-level line, and a long, high line over 2,000 feet long. The last line is definitely a thrill, even for experienced zip-liners. (And is also optional, should you have someone not up for the challenge.)

Where to stay at The Canyons:

We’ve experienced Hyatt Escala, The Grand Summit Hotel, and Westgate Park City, all located adjacent to the village. All are excellent choices for families with indoor or outdoor pools, hot tubs, restaurants, and everything you’d want in walking distance. For ease of skiing and boarding, the ski-in, ski-out convenience of the Grand Summit wins out. For suite amenities, the Westgate gets our pick. And for decor and ambiance, Hyatt reigns. We suggest reading all three reviews (just click on the links) and deciding what’s best for your skiing and snowboarding family.

Where to eat at Canyons:

Our on-mountain picks are listed above, but for village fare, we recommend budgeting for at least one meal at The Farm. Located in Canyons village next to the Grand Summit Hotel, The Farm’s farm-to-table cuisine makes for a memorable meal. Expect the small menu to change weekly as all ingredients are freshly sourced, but the kids’ menu remains a bit more constant, and will include the standards kids are used to. Don’t assume this restaurant is not kid-friendly; in fact, the staff welcomes kids and kids dig the fresh, local fare. For quick breakfasts and grab-and-go sandwiches, First Tracks in the Grand Summit is an affordable option.

Lift ticket pricing:

As with most ski resorts, pre-purchasing multi-day lift tickets online will save you money. Look for deals packaged with the local hotels as well. Ticket prices vary, because Canyons always have online deals going. At the time of this writing, the best deal was $79 for adults and $39 for kids. It’s also worth checking Liftopia before heading to the slopes.

Directions:

Canyons Park City is located four miles from Park City off I-40, or 25 miles from Salt Lake City.

The above post was written in conjunction with a partnership with VacationRoost.

Grand Summit Hotel at Canyons Resort, Park City

October 16, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Last year, we named Park City as a Pit Stops for Kids’ best ski town. We reviewed the Westgate Resort at the base of Canyons Resort, and we talked up the quaint downtown with its great shops and restaurants for families. Now we’re back with our review of Grand Summit Hotel. Who’s ready to hit Park City with kids?

Why the Grand Summit works well for families:

The Grand Summit Hotel at The Canyons is ideally located for Canyons skiing and snowboarding. While it is not the most luxurious hotel in the immediate region, it is one of the closest to the slopes, enjoying true ski-in, ski-out flexibility. From the back door of the Summit, families can hop on the Orange Bubble chair or the Red Pine Gondola in seconds. The Grand Summit ski valet stores your skis or boards, so you can grab and go, and the Grand Summit Child Care center is located right next door.

Families are steps from the central path through the Canyons village, which includes the ski and board school, equipment rentals, and restaurants. With the Grand Summit’s seasonal shuttle, you don’t even need a car.

Grand Summit Hotel amenities:

My kids won’t stay at a ski hotel without a pool, and the Grand Summit certainly delivers. The outdoor pool is large and heated, and three large hot tubs surround it. We love that you can sit in the hot tubs and watch the gondola go past. Adjacent to the pool area is the fitness center (smaller, but adequate) and spa. Families can enter the spa to use the sauna and steam rooms (my kids also love a good sauna). While I wish the sauna sat next to the pool instead of in the spa where it’s a bit awkward to walk in and out, it works for our purposes.

Standard rooms include free wifi, which is rare to find these days, and have the standard amenities as well: hair dryer, coffee maker, and even microwaves. What you won’t find: mini-fridges (at least not in our standard room). Balconies add to the floor space, and offer great views, whether you’re looking out over Park City or the slopes.

Dining at The Grand Summit includes a full-service apres ski joint with a back deck overlooking the lifts, a grab-and-go sandwich and breakfast shop, and a (pricy) buffet breakfast location (The Cabin). We recommend booking a suite, which comes equipped with a full kitchen. Families will want to budget for one special meal out at The Farm, located adjacent to the hotel in the Canyons village. The Farm serves all seasonal farm-to-table fare, and is surprisingly kid-friendly. It’s a great experience and will be a memorable meal.

Date last visited:

March 2013

Room rates:

Start as low as $135 for a standard room in non-peak seasons.

Directions:

The resort is four miles from the heart of Park City, which is just off I-40. Salt Lake City is 25 miles away.

I experienced the Grand Summit as guests of The Canyons Resort, for the purpose of review. While I appreciate the hospitality, it did not come with expectation of a positive review.

Where to stay at Canyons Resort: Hyatt Escala review

July 19, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Canyons Resort in Park City has several top-tier lodging options for families to choose from (we’ll be reviewing several this week!), but our new favorite just might be the Hyatt Escala Lodge. Why is this property where to stay at Canyons? The Escala’s proximity to the slopes is just as good if not better than neighboring Summit Lodge, and there is more room for families to spread out in this predominately suite-based property. It’s quieter than lodging options right in The Canyons‘ base area, but still only a two minute walk away.

We were here for a summer stay, but winter guests enjoy the same perks, with the added benefit of a ski valet (one of our all-time favorite things to find at any luxury resort). Families can enjoy a beautiful outdoor pool facility with two hot tubs, plus a nicely sized exercise facility and sauna. The Escala is divided into three buildings which all face into a central court and share an underground parking garage. You certainly don’t get the ‘sprawling’ resort feeling you might at other ski resorts, as you’re close to everything. Even though we were in Uinta, which is not in the building with the dining options or the building with the pool and exercise options, we were literally only steps from both.

In summer, the Escala’s front door opens directly out onto hiking trails, mountain biking facilities, and is 3 minute walk from the Red Pine Gondola of The Canyons. In winter, you’re even closer to the slopes with a smaller chair option. We easily walked into the Canyons’ base area repeatedly for dining, recreation, and shopping.

We experienced a one-bedroom suite, which provided plenty of room for our family of five. The bedroom included a queen bed, and the living area had a pull-out double bed/couch. We had room for a roll-away as well. The one-bedroom suite includes a full gourmet kitchen, which makes dining in-room easy, and a fully sized washer and dryer. Hallelujah! Our second floor view looked out on aspen trees and the base area. In room, we enjoyed high speed internet (no charge), gourmet coffee, and both a tub and shower in the single bathroom. Our only inconvenience: the bathroom didn’t lend to much privacy with its two entrances (one from the living area and one from the bedroom.

Date last visited:

June 2013

Room rates:

At the time of my stay, room rates started at $199/night. Seasonal discounts can be found.

Dining:

Hyatt’s dedication to healthy, locally-sourced food is carried out at the Escala. At the Escala Provisions Company, both a restaurant and an on-site market, kids can eat off the innovative By Kids, For Kids menu (we’ve sampled this at Hyatt at Olive 8 in Seattle) and grab-and-go wraps, sandwiches, and soups are easy to order all day long. This dining option does not come cheap, so families will want to also grocery shop before arrival and utilize suite kitchens.

Learn more about things to do in Park City!

Distance from the interstate:

Just minutes from I-80

Directions:

The Hyatt Escala is located at 3551 N Escala Ct, Park City. From UT-224 headed into town, take a left at Canyons Resort Drive, then turn right onto High Mountain Road.

What to do in Park City in the summer with kids

June 20, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Park City, Utah is truly a year-round resort town. It’s one of our Best Ski Town picks, but that doesn’t mean families shouldn’t visit during summer months: on our visit in June 2013, Main Street was bustling, and parking was challenging to find. Restaurants and bars were hopping, and some shops were open late. Summer in Park City offers much more than just town life, however. Read on to learn what to do in Park City in the summer with kids:

1. Mountain biking:

Mountain bike single track trails can be found throughout the Park City area and surrounding mountainsides, but Canyons Resort sports the only gravity-based, lift-accessed bike park. Novices through experts will be challenged here with rollers, jumps, and switchbacks on downhill trails of every level. Bike rentals (and costs) can be found at Canyon Mountain Rentals. Read our full review of mountain biking at Canyons.

2. Hiking and fishing:

At Canyons Resort, well-marked, designated hiking trails take ambitious hikers as high as Ninety-Nine 90 Peak; on the Fantasy Ridge trail (access from Tombstone trail) or beginners can easily trek to Alpine Lake on the Alpine Lake trail. (Paddleboats can also be rented on Alpine Lake, but don’t let the name deceive you: this body of water is more like a large pond. Kids will enjoy seeing the large trout in the waters, however.)

3. Utah Olympic Park activities:

The site of the bobsled, ski jump, and additional winter Olympic sports during the Salt Lake City games, the Utah Olympic Park has lots for non-Olympic hopefuls to do as well. Families can tour the free museum, take a tour of the facilities (which includes the chance to stare down the distance of the ski jump), and watch Olympic training in progress. There’s also three zip lines, a three-level high ropes course, and an alpine slide. Parents can buy experiences a la carte, or give kids access to all three activities for $40…a great deal! In the busiest summer months, expect some wait times, but staff and instructional support staff are very friendly here.

4. Exploring Park City’s Main Street:

Shopping is fun even for the kids in Park City, with ample touristy t-shirt shops to check out, bookstores, and candy stores. Adults will find gallery-quality art and collectables as well. Have dinner at our favorite, Main Street Pizza and Noodle Company, then stop at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for ice cream or a caramel apple for dessert.

5. Mini Golf or Disc Golf:

Do both in one day at The Canyons: mini golf is located at the base and open from 10 am to 5 pm in summer, and disc golf is located at mid-mountain, starting at the Red Pine Lodge. Get tickets to either in the base area, and plan to wear sunscreen for either high mountain outdoor activity!

Wondering where to stay in Park City? Check out our reviews of Hyatt Escala, Westgate Park City, and The Grand Summit, all of which offer great outdoor pools and on-site recreation.

Best Ski Towns: Park City, Utah

February 23, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

It’s the ideal ski town: beautiful scenery, dozens of kid-friendly resorts, and a downtown bursting with great restaurants and shops surrounded by not one, not two, but three major ski resorts, with half a dozen more nearby. It’s Park City, Utah, and I challenge you to go once and not want to come back for many more family ski vacations.

Where to ski: You really can’t go wrong whichever resort you choose, but our pick is Canyons Resort, Park City’s largest ski resort with over 4000 acres and 19 lifts. You certainly need more than one day to truly explore this mega-mountain, and with long runs (some over a mile) and plenty of terrain parks, you won’t be spending your valuable time in line for the chairlift. Their ski school is excellent, but given the diversity of their mountain, from groomed trails to expert chutes, the kids can ski all day with you.

Where to stay: We loved Westgate Park City, located near the base of The Canyons and five minutes away from downtown. This resort has it all: luxury (think plush towels, spa, and adults-only pool), cozy ambiance (the huge lobby’s fireplace is always ablaze), roomy suites, and a wonderful indoor-outdoor pool and hot tub complex complete with game room, tennis courts for the summer months, and playground. Westgate hosts a full kids’ program with off-site activities as well.

I more recently stayed at Grand Summit Hotel at Canyons Resort, which is more ideally located to the slopes, offers a ski valet and storage service, and a pool that rivals that of The Westgate. Dining is closer at-hand at Grand Summit Hotel, though standard rooms are more spacious at Westgate.

Where to eat: Head to historic downtown for the best grub. Kids will like the Red Banjo Pizza Parlor (322 Main Street), which looks like an old west saloon, and if you get a night out without the children, try Wabo House (1385 Lowel Avenue).

What to do when not on the slopes: Families would be remiss to vacation in Park City and not visit Olympic Park, site of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Games (3000 Bear Hollow Drive). If you think your family will want to ride on ‘The Comet’ (bobsled), the ‘Gold Package’ ($75 per person) is a good value, and includes entrance to the museum and a guided tour in addition to the ride. There’s also a zip line, ski jumps, and other extreme fun at-hand.

Wherever you stay and ski, you’ll want to reserve ample time to explore downtown. Parking is free in the public lots, or if you’re staying nearby, check the free shuttle service for times and stops (they run near-continuously). We love Park City’s community atmosphere; you truly feel as though you’re visiting someone else’s hometown, not a tourist destination. Be sure to visit the U.S. Olympic Spirit Store (751 Main Street) for a glimpse at Park City’s merchandise of Olympics past, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate (510 Main Street), where your kids can select caramel apples nearly as big as a melon.

How to get here: Getting to Park City is easy, thanks to Salt Lake City International Airport being a major hub. From the airport, most resorts offer a shuttle, but if not, booking passage on one is easy. (We’ve had good luck with Park City Transportation.) Car rentals are also available of course, but depending on where you’re staying and skiing, you may not need one in compact Park City, given their great inter-town transportation system.

Read more Best Ski Town picks!

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 15): Westgate Park City Resort and Spa

July 11, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

View of resort from our seventh floor balcony.

On Day 15, we traveled down Hwy 89 from Grand Teton National Park to Park City, Utah to stay overnight at the Westgate Park City.

The Westgate Park City is a beautiful resort nestled against the base of The Canyons ski resort about five minutes from downtown Park City. Winter is their peak season (no pun intended!), which makes it a great choice in the summer months to beat both high prices and crowds. And lest you think they only offer ski-oriented activities, rest assured: there’s plenty to do! In fact, had our itinerary allowed for it, we’d have gladly stayed two nights so the kids could spend more time at their Kids Club, pools, basketball court, playground, and nearby hiking trails, bike rentals, and alpine slide.

For our party of six (three adults and three kids), we were reserved the Presidential suite, which comprised of a similar layout to a two-bedroom suite plus adjoining one-bedroom suite, and had more than enough room. With a full kitchen (with granite counter-tops and quality appliances), we could have prepared Thanksgiving dinner had we wanted to (but who would, with all of Park City’s great restaurants?) and with three bathrooms, no one had to wait for showers. There was also a full dining room and living area, which made for a cozy place to share a dinner ordered in after a long day of traveling.

Full kitchen in suite.

Westgate master bedroom.

Full dining area.

The beds were ‘super comfortable with tons of pillows’ (in Nate’s words) and the living room also offered a pull-out bed/couch. With working fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, and a large balcony, the Westgate suite was the perfect place to spread out and relax for prices lower than you might think (as I said, I wished we had more time).

As guests of the ‘Moose Lodge’ section of the resort (buildings are distinguished by various animal names), two pools were at our disposal: the main indoor-outdoor pool (protected by a glass ceiling and walls for winter months) and hot tubs, and a smaller outdoor pool and hot tub closer to our lodge. The kids had fun at both, and Toby especially loved that each were only 3-4 feet deep max…making it easy for him to keep up with his older brothers without too much swimming. Another perk of the main pool was its proximity to the basketball and tennis courts; you could keep an eye on other kids playing while in the pool area.

Indoor-outdoor pool with atrium.

The Westgate also offers a fitness center (which I used) and exercise studio (offering yoga and other exercise classes at designated times), an adult-only relaxation pool and sauna, and a Kids Club, which had an extensive itinerary of programs and supervised care for kids 2-12 ($15/hour for non-Westgate Resort members).

Date Last Visited: July 5, 2010

Room Rates: At the time of this posting, rates ranged from studio rooms started at $107 per night to two-bedroom units from $215 per night during summer (off-season) months. Since Westgate Park City is a timeshare resort, you can also rent the units directly from resort owners, sometimes at cheaper rates than when you book through the resort.

Restaurants and Dining: Westgate has a quick service pizza counter and marketplace on-site for sundries and convenience foods (limited hours in summer) and a fine dining restaurant (closed Mondays) which offers room service. Otherwise, guests need to drive into Park City (five minutes) for their choice of an array of dining options. We ordered pizza from http://www.davanzas.com/, one of the only places with delivery to the Westgate, and it was delicious and fast.

Distance off the interstate: Minutes off I-80 on Hwy 224.

Directions: From I-80, take Exit 145/Highway 224 South toward Kimball Junction/Park City. Travel 2.7 miles and turn right onto The Canyons Resort Drive. Continue 0.5 mile to Westgate Park City Resort & Spa.

Note: Our only criticism of Westgate was its confusing layout. To their credit, they did try to warn us: right after I checked in, I was sent to guest services, where they explained how to find my rooms. Helpful, but not a good sign for me after a tiring travel day! The way the resort is divided into ‘lodges’ causes a complicated system of various elevators (especially when trying to approach from the underground parking garage). After another day on-site, I’m sure we would have had the route down, but for the first day, we were certainly lost more than once in the vast resort, and we weren’t the only ones. My advice: accept the resort’s offer of a valet to help show you to your room; the escort will be worth the price of a tip!

As I disclose with all compensated reviews, Westgate Resorts hosted us free of charge. While we greatly appreciate their hospitality, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

Up Next: We drive south to Zion National Park and check in to the Cliffrose Lodge and Gardens.

A Pit Stop a Day (Day 12): Colter Bay Village (pitstopsforkids.com)
A Pit Stop a Day (Day 8): Big Sky Resort’s Summit Hotel (pitstopsforkids.com)
A Pit Stop a Day (Day 11): Yellowstone National Park (pitstopsforkids.com)